Some conversations keep not happening.
I'm Rich Poole. I help family and private businesses
work through succession, exit and board decisions
- before they become crises.
Alongside your advisors, and across all of it.
The businesses that get this right, start the conversation before they have to.
Whether it's governance that hasn't kept pace, ownership questions that nobody's willing to put forth, family or shareholder dynamics that can be challenging, or an exit that's closer than it looks.
Best to start before it's a crisis, not after.
When I get called
If a situation sounds like one of these, it's usually worth a conversation.
The board that meets, but doesn't decide - Governance
Regular meetings are happening. The same issues keep coming back unresolved.
Succession that keeps almost happening - Succession
The next generation, or a senior team member, is waiting for a conversation that never quite starts.
A sale that stalled or fell over — Exit & Sale
A past attempt didn't complete, and the real reason behind it was never properly addressed.
Everything still runs through one person - Owner Dependency
A growing business where nothing moves without the owner's direct involvement.
Partners aligned on everything except one thing - Shareholder Alignment
Co-owners who work well together but have never agreed on what happens if one wants out.
Family dynamics quietly running the business - Family & Ownership
Decisions are being shaped by family relationships rather than what's best for the business.
A new partner coming into the business - Partnership & Equity
An owner bringing someone in for the first time, unsure how much control or equity to hand over.
Preparing for an exit on their own terms - Planned Exit
An owner who wants to build toward a sale deliberately, rather than have one forced on them.
These situations don't resolve themselves. They need someone independent in the room.
Most owners have a sense something needs attention, however surprisingly, very few have looked at it squarely in my own experience.
The Business Readiness Diagnostic takes seven minutes and gives you an honest picture across the four dimensions that matter most - governance, exit readiness, ownership dynamics and owner dependency.
Free & without obligation. Plus downloadable results for you to consider.
What's Different
Most people in this situation don't need another consultant with a framework.
They need someone who's actually been in the room - not as an advisor, but as an owner. Someone who understands why these conversations stall, why the obvious answer isn't always the right one and why timing matters as much as the decision itself.
That's where my background is different.
Fourth-generation family business. Founder. Built and ran Co-Pilot®, my management consulting practice, from 2002 - ten of those years creating and growing GrownUps® alongside it, navigating deals, shareholder movements, and ultimately selling a nationwide business to a Fortune 500 company. And living with everything that came with it. I've sat in similar rooms to where my clients are sitting. I know what it costs to get these decisions wrong and what it takes to get them right. That's why Generations exists.
I don't make decisions for your board or your ownership group. I create the conditions where the right people can decide, with clarity, structure and confidence.
“What stood out was the preparation Richard invested in before the session, his ability to keep the team engaged, and the calm way he facilitated complex discussion while keeping us focused and on track.” Terry Buchan. GM, Hawkins, Board Member - NZ Institute of Building / Building Institute Aotearoa
Calm presence.
Steady hands.
Owner-level judgement.
Independent perspective.
No agenda.